Three-coordinate fluid manifold

ABSTRACT

An X-coordinate manifold, having a plurality of parallel channels extending in the X direction, is mated with a Ycoordinate manifold, having a plurality of parallel channels extending in the Y direction, to form a XY plane manifold. A preselected arrangement of ports, communicating with certain channels, is provided in each manifold, to thereby provide, when the manifolds are so mated, a matrix of paired, aligned ports which are located at the crossing points of certain channels in the X and Y coordinate manifolds. Also, a vertical or Z-channel is made available at the crossing points of certain channels in the X and Y coordinate manifolds. Two or more XY plane manifolds are stacked on top of one another to form a three-coordinate manifold. Gaskets used between the mated coordinate manifolds, and also between the stacked plane manifolds, act as programming devices and also serve as ball retainers for shuttle balls functioning as check valves.

I Umted States Patent [1 1 [111 3,881,513

Chang 1 1 May 6, 1975 THREE-COORDINATE FLUID MANIFOLD PrimaryExaminer-Charles J. Myhre [75] Inventor: Robert C. C. Chang, Sao Paulo,Assistant Lazarus Brazil Attorney, Agent, or FtrmGeorge L. Church;Donald R. Johnson; Frank A. Rechif [73] Assignee: Sun Oil Company ofPennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa. [57] ABSTRACT [22] Filed: Jan. 25, 1974An X-coordinate manifold, having a plurality of paral- [211 Appl' 436319lel channels extending in the X direction, is mated with a Y-coordinatemanifold, having a plurality of 52 US. Cl. 137/608; 137/271; 137/367;Parallel channels emnding in the Y direction, to form 235 201 ME a XYplane manifold. A preselected arrangement of 511 Int. Cl. ..F15c 3/06 pcommunicating with certain channels, is P [58] Field of Search 137/608,271, 367,833; vided in each manifold. to thereby Provide, when the235/201 ME, 201 pp manifolds are so mated, a matrix of paired, alignedports which are located at the crossing points of cer- [56] ReferencesCited tain channels in the X and Y coordinate manifolds. UNITED STATESPATENTS Also, a vertical or Z-channel is made available at the 2 834 3685/1958 G 251,367 X crossing points of certain channels in the X and 1co- 3548'857 12]970 137/833 X ordinate manifolds. Two or more XY planemanifolds 3,589,387 6/1971 RaymondIIIIIIIII: 137/608 x are stacked topone form a three 3,656,510 4/1972 Kinner 137/608 momma manifold- Gasketsused between mated 3.698.432 "3/1972 coordinate manifolds, and alsobetween the stacked 3,765,441 10/1973 plane manifolds, act asprogramming devices and also 3,806,088 4/1974 Stoneman 251/367 serve asball retainers for shuttle balls functioning as check valves.

11 Claims, 21 Drawing Figures PATENTEBMAY smrs SHEET 30F 4THREE-COORDINATE FLUID MANIFOLD This invention relates to a deviceuseful in fluidic (fluid logic) circuits, for performing such functionsas decoding and sequencing of events. More particularly, it relates to afluid manifolding arrangement for providing a large number ofinterconnections between fluid input and output signals.

The present invention may be thought of as an improvement over thatdisclosed in my prior US. Pat. No. 3,765,441 issued October 16, 1973. Insuch prior application, an X-coordinate manifold is mated with a Y-coordinate manifold to form a matrix of paired, aligned ports (e.g., atthe crossing points of channels in the respective manifolds); such amatrix is in two coordinates, and may be termed a two-coordinate matrixfluid manifold.

Whereas a matrix or two-coordinate manifold provides MN possibleinterconnections by means of a program gasket between M input and Noutput signals (where M and N are positive integers in general greaterthan one), a three-coordinate manifold can provide MNL possibleinterconnections, where M and N are, respectively, the number of inputand/or output connections on the X and Y axes, and L (also a positiveinteger) is the number of output connections on the Z axis.Consequently, the three-coordinate manifold, when compared to itstwo-coordinate counterpart, has increased the interconnection capacityby a factor of L, thereby making it a more versatile logic device inperforming such functions as decoding and sequencing of events.

The present application describes a means for implementing a thirdcoordinate to the (prior) twocoordinate matrix fluid manifold, resultingin a threedimensional manifold.

A detailed description of the invention follows, taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. I is a face view of a typical X-coordinate manifold according tothis invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-section taken along line 3-3 in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a cross-section taken on line 4-4 in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a face view of a typical Y-coordinate manifold according tothis invention;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken on line 7-7 in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a cross-section on line 8-8 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a cross-section taken along line 9-9 in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a face view of a typical XY plane manifold according to thisinvention;

FIG. 11 is a section taken on line 11-11 in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a cross-section taken along line 12-12 in FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a cross-section on line 13-13 in FIG. 10;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken on line 14-14 in FIG. 10;

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating a detail;

FIG. 16 is a plan view illustrating a detail;

FIG. 17 is a face view illustrating stacked XY plane manifolds;

FIG. 18 is a cross-section taken along line 18-18 in FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a section taken on line 19-19 in FIG. 17;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a three-coordinate manfold; and

FIG. 21 is a functional schematic representation of a three-coordinatemanifold according to the invention.

Refer first to FIGS. l-S. An X-coordinate manifold, denoted generally bynumeral 1, is illustrated in fragmentary fashion in thse figures. Itcomprises a block member 2 to which is secured, in face-to-facerelation, a plate member 3, the members 2 and 3, when assembledtogether, constituting the manifold 1. For ease of illustration, in thefragmentary illustration of FIGS. l-S, the block 2 and the plate 3 areof square configuration, seen in face view as in FIG. 1. The portion ofblock member 2 shown has formed in one of its surfaces (to wit, thesurface thereof which abuts the plate 3 when the manifold 1 isassembled) a plurality of grooves or channels which are disposedgenerally in uniformly-spaced parallel rows extending horizontally inFIG. 1 (which may be considered to be the X- direction). By way ofillustration, the two channels 4 and 5 are located in the uppermost (inFIG. 1) row, and each of these channels has a length equal to thespacing between adjacent rows; the single channel or groove 6 is locatedin the second row, and is continuous throughout the illustratedfragmentary portion of block 2', the two grooves 7 and 8 are located inthe third row, and each of these grooves has a length equal to thespacing between adjacent rows; the single channel or groove 9 is locatedin the bottom or fourth row, and is continuous throughout theillustrated fragmentary portion of block 2.

At one end, channel 4 is extended outwardly to the opposite surface ofblock 2, and is provided at such opposite surface with a conical valveseat 10 for a shuttle ball (to be later referred to) operating as acheck valve. Similarly. at one end, channel 5 is extended outwardly tothe opposite surface of block 2, and is provided at such oppositesurface with a conical valve seat 11. Channel 7 has a similar extensionand conical valve seat 12, which latter is in line (vertically inFIG. 1) with the seat 10. Channel 8 has a similar extension and conicalvalve seat 13, which latter is in line (vertically in FIG. 1) with theseat 11.

Plate member 3 has extending therethrough a bore 14 which is concentricwith seat 10, and which communicates with this seat and with channel 4.At the opposite end of channel 4, plate 3 has therein a bore 15 whichcommunicates with this channel and which extends outwardly to the outersurface of the plate, and a counterbore 16 of increased diameter isprovided at the outer surface of plate 3. A bore 17 extends throughplate 3, concentric with seat 11, this bore communicating with seat 11and with channel 5. At the opposite end of channel 5, plate 3 hastherein a bore 18 which communicates with this channel and which extendsoutwardly to the outer surface of the plate, with a counterbore 19 atsuch outer surface.

For channels 7 and 8, in association with valve seats 12 and 13, theplate member 3 preferably has a construction which exactly duplicatesthat at 14- 9 (previously described, for channels 4 and 5, inas-ociation with valve seats 10 and II). For channels 7 and 8, elementssimilar to those previously described are denoted by the same referencenumerals, but carrying prime designations.

Plate 3 has therein, at a location vertically aligned (in FIG. 1) withseats and 12, a bore which communicates at its inner end with groove 9and at its outer end with a conical valve seat 21 which is provided attheh outer end with a conical valve seat 21 which is provided at theouter surface of plate member 3. Plate 3 also has therein, at a locationvertically aligned (in FIG. 1) with seats 11 and 13, a bore 22 whichcommunicates at its inner end with groove 9 and at its outer end with aconical valve seat 23 which is provided at the outer surface of plate 3.

For channel 6, the plate member 3 preferably has a construction whichexactly duplicates that at 20-23 (previously described, for channel 9).For channel 6, elements similar to those previously described aredenoted by the same reference numerals, but carrying prime designationsRefer now to FIGS. 6-9. A Y-coordinate manifold, denoted generally bynumeral 24, is illustrated in fragmentary fashion in these figures. Itcomprises a block member 25 to which is secured, in face-to-facerelation, a plate member 26, the members 25 and 26, when assembledtogether, constituting the manifold 24. Again, for ease of illustration,in the fragmentary illustration of FIGS. 6-9, the block 25 and the plate26 are of square configuration, seen in face view as in FIG. 6. Theportion of block member '25 shown has formed in one of its surfaces (towit, the surface thereof which abuts the plate 26 when the manifold 24is assembled) a plurality of grooves or channels which are disposedgenerally in uniformly-spaced parallel columns extending vertically inFIG. 6 (which may be considered to be the Y-direction). By way ofillustration, the two channels 27 and 28 are located in the left-hand(in FIG. 6) column, and each of these channels has a length equal to thespacing between adjacent columns; the single channel or groove 29 islocated in the second column, and is continuous throughout theillustrated fragmentary portion of block 25; the two grooves 30 and 31are located in the third column, and each of these grooves has a lengthequal to the spacing between adjacent columns; the single channel orgroove 32 is located in the right-hand column, and is continuousthroughout the illustrated fragmentary portion of block 25.

At one end of channel 27, block 25 has therein a bore 33 whichcommunicates with this channel and which extends outwardly to the outersurface of this block, and a counterbore 34 of increased diameter isprovided at the outer surface of block 25. At one end of channel 28,block 25 has therein a bore 35 which communicates with this latterchannel and which extends outwardly to the outer surface of the block,and a counterbore 36 of increased diameter is formed at the outersurface of block 25.

For channels 30 and 31, The block member 25 preferably has aconstruction which exactly duplicates that at 33-36 (previouslydescribed, for channels 27 and 28). For channels 30 and 31, elementssimilar to those previously described are denoted by the same referencenumerals, but carrying prime designations.

Plate member 26 has extending therethrough a bore 37 which is concentricwith bore 33 and of the same diameter, and which communicates with bore33 and with channel 27. At the opposite end of channel 27,

plate 26 has therein a bore 38 which communicates with this channel andwhich extends outwardly to the outer surface of the plate, and acounterbore 39 of increased diameter is provided at the outer surface ofplate 26. A bore 40 extends through plate 26, concentric with bore 35,bore 40 communicating with bore 35 and with channel 28. At the oppositeend of channel 28, plate 26 has therein a bore 41 which communicateswith this channel and which extends outwardly to the outer surface ofthe plate, and a counterbore 42 of increased diameter is provided at theouter surface of plate 26.

For channels 30 and 31, the plate member 26 preferably has aconstruction which exactly duplicates that at 37-42 (previouslydescribed, for channels 27 and 28). For channels 30 and 31, elementssimilar to those previously described are denoted by the same referencenumerals, but carrying prime designations.

Plate 26 has therein, at a location horizontally aligned (in FIG. 6)with counterbores 34 and 34', a bore 43 which communicates at its innerend with groove 32 and at its outer end with a conical valve seat 44which is provided at the outer surface of plate member 26. Plate 26 alsohas therein, at a location horizontally aligned (in FIG. 6) withcounterbores 36 and 36', a bore 45 which communicates at its inner endwith groove 32 and at its outer end with a conical valve seat 46 whichis provided at the outer surface of plate member 26.

For channel 29, the plate member 26 preferably has a construction whichexactly duplicates that at 43-46 (previously described, for channel 32).For channel 29, elements similar to those previously described aredenoted by the same reference numerals, but carrying prime designations.

The three-coordinate manifold of this invention is made up of two basicbuilding blocks: the X-coordinate manifold 1 (FIGS. 1-5) and theY-coordinate manifold 24 (FIGS. 6-9). These two coordinate manifolds aremated together (as will now be described) to form an XY plane manifoldwhich is functionally similar to the matrix manifold described in mycopending application above mentioned, except that a vertical orZ-channel is made available at the crossing points of the channels inthe X-coordinate and Y-coordinate manifolds.

Refer now to FIGS. 10-16. The manifolds I and 24 are positioned inface-to-face relation, with the plate member 3 of manifold I facing theplate member 26 of manifold 24. A gasket 47, which functions as a ballretainer and also as a programming means, is sandwiched between the twomanifolds, which are brought into tight engagement with the gasket toform a sealed coupling between the two manifolds l and 24. In thisconnection, it is pointed out that the device (XY plane manifold) isillustrated in somewhat exploded form in FIGS. 11-14, merely forconvenience of illustration.

The heart of the device of this invention is the node junction, which isthe junction where the X, Y, and 2 channels meet. In the fragmentaryillustration of the XY plane manifold, there are 4 X 4, or sixteen, suchnode junctions. Through passages, check valves, or no passage (dependingon the applications) can be implemented by gasket 47 at the interface ofthe X and Y coordinate manifolds l and 24.

A through passage is illustrated at the left-hand end of FIG. 14, whereX-channel 4 and Y-channel 27 meet. Thus, one end of channel 4, bore 14,and aligned opening 48 provided in gasket 47, bore 37, and bore 33together form a through passage between the valve seat at the outersurface of X-coordinate manifold 1 and the counterbore 34 at the outersurface of Y- coordinate manifold 24. It may be noted that the gasket47, by means of hole 48, implements the described through passage, whichextends in the Z-direction (vertically in FIG. 14).

A check valve coupling or interconnection is illustrated at the nextadjacent node junction in FIG. 14, where X-channel 4 and Y-channel 29meet. At this node junction location, the counterbore 16 of manifold 1and the conical valve seat 44 of manifold 24 are aligned with eachother. Illustrated is a shuttle-type of check valve, in which the gasket47 serves as a shuttle ball retainer for a light-weight shuttle ball 49which is adapted to form a seal in, and thus block, its conical valveseat 44'. Refer also to FIGS. 15 and 16. The ball 49 is retained ongasket 47 by means of a pair of integral supporting struts 50 (at 90 toeach other) which extend across an aperture 51 (of circularconfiguration) in gasket 47. The area of aperture 51 not taken up by thestruts 50 provides a passage allowing fluid to flow from the manifold 24to the manifold 1. Fluid can flow in this direction (which is to say,from the Y- channel 29 to the X-channel 4, via bore 43', aperture 51 ingasket 47, and bore 15) because such fluid flow urges ball 49 away fromits seat 44'. However, reverse flow (flow in the opposite direction) isdisallowed (not permitted, or blocked) by virtue of the natural tendencyof the shuttle ball 49 to move toward, and seal against, its conicalvalve seat 44' when fluid tends to flow in this latter direction.

It will be observed that ball 49 is retained by the upper surface (inFIG. 14) of gasket 47, so that the ball is adjacent its seat 44'. Thelarger-diameter counterbore 16 enhances or eases the flow of fluid inthe permitted direction (downwardly in FIG. 14).

At the node junction where X-channel 5 and Y- channel 32 meet (see FIG.11), a ball 49 cooperates with the valve seat 44. Fluid can flow fromthe Y- channel 32 to the X-channel 5 (via bore 43, an aperture similarto aperture 51 in gasket 47, and bore 18, but cannot flow in theopposite direction.

A no passage is illustrated in FIG. 11, at the node junction whereX-channel 6 and Y-channel 32 meet". At this node junction, there is nohole in gasket 47, and there are no bores in plate member 3 of manifold1, or in plate member 26 of manifold 24. Thus, the channels 6 and 32 areentirely isolated from each other at this latter node junction.

In FIG. 10, out of a total of sixteen node junctions, there are twelvewhich are arranged as either through passages" or check valves, whilethe remaining four are arranged as no passages.

As previously mentioned, FIGS. 10-14 illustrate an XY plane manifold.Two or more XY plane manifolds are stacked on top of one another to forma threecoordinate manifold.

FIGs. 1719 illustrate an arrangement according to this invention,wherein two XY plane manifolds are stacked together. Referring now tothese latter figures, a first X-coordinate manifold l and a firstY-coordinate manifold 24 are mated together as disclosed in FIGS. 10-14to form or constitute a first XY plane manifold, with a ball retainerprogram gasket 47 between the X- coordinate and Y-coordinate manifolds.The node junctions illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19 for these twomanifolds include both through passages" and check valves."

Similarly, a second X-coordinate manifold 1' and a second Y-coordinatemanifold 24' are mated together as previously disclosed to form orconstitute a second XY plane manifold, with a ball retainer programgasket 47' between the X-coordinate and Y-coordinate manifolds.

The first XY plane manifold 1, 24 and the second XY plane manifold l,24' are positioned in stacked relation in proper alignment, such that,for example, the counterbores 34 and 36 of the first plane manifold facethe are aligned respectively with the valve seats 10 and 12' of thesecond plane manifold. A ball retainer program gasket 52 is sandwichedbetween the two XY plane manifolds, and the two manifolds are broughtinto tight engagement with the gasket to form a stacked orthree-coordinate fluid manifold. The two stacked X-Y plane manifolds areillustrated in somewhat exploded form in FIGS. 18 and 19, forconvenience of illustration.

Through passages, check valves, or no passage can be implemented bygasket 52, at the interface of the XY plane manifolds I, 24 and 1', 24.As illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19, check valves are implemented by thegasket 52, at the interface of the two XY plane manifolds. Referring toFIG. 18, a ball 49, cooperating with valve seat 10' (and with theapertured ball retainer gasket 52 and the counterbore 34), serves as acheck valve which permits fluid flow only in one directionnamely,upwardly in FIG. 18. Similarly, another ball 49, cooperating with valveseat 12' (and with the apertured ball retainer gasket 52 and thecounterbore 36), also serves as a check valve, which permits fluid flowonly upwardly in FIG. 18.

It may be noted that the two stacked XY plane manifolds provide, inconcert, channels or grooves in the X and Y directions (that is, in thetwo orthogonallyrelated directions in FIG. 17), and also in the Zdirection (the vertical direction in FIG. 18); thus a threecoordinatefluid manifold is formed.

FIG. 20 illustrates an extension of the threecoordinate fluid manifoldof FIGS. 17-19. FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a 3 X 3 X 3three-coordinate manifold. This is formed by the stacking together ofthree 3 X 3 XY plane manifolds, with the addition of an overlying coverplate 53 for the connection of the nine pipes or tubes (conduits) 54 forthe vertically-extending or Z-channels.

The first or uppermost of the three stacked XY plane manifolds comprisesthe block member 2 and the plate member 3 of an X-coordinate manifoldsuch as 1, and the plate member 26 and block member 25 of a Y-coordinate manifold such as 24', the three pipes or tubes 55 for theX-channels in this first plane are coupled to block member 2, and thethree pipes or tubes 56 for the Y-channels in this plane are coupled toblock member 25.

The second of the three stacked XY plane manifolds comprises members 2',3, 26, and 25', and tubes 55' and 56', all similar to those previouslydescribed with the same reference numerals, unprimed.

The third of the three stacked XY plane manifolds comprises member 2",3", 26, and 25", and tubes 55" and 56", all similar to those previouslydescribed with the same reference numerals, umprimed.

A typical application of a three-coordinate manifold of this inventionis illustrated in FIG. 2], which is a schematic representation of a 2 X2 X 2 threecoordinate manifold (eight node junctions). Each of the checkvalves A through J is represented in this figure by a symbol whichincludes a circle (for the shuttle ball such as 49) and a V (for therespective valve seat). Flow can take place through each of these checkvalves in the direction from the V toward the circle, but not in theopposite direction. Arrows at the various parts or couplings representthe direction of fluid flow; an arrow pointed toward the arrangement ofinterconnected conduits and check valves indicates an input port,whereas an arrow pointed in the opposite direction indicates an outputport.

An input signal at the X port will give an output signal at the W port,by way of check valve B. An input signal at the Y port will give anoutput signal at W by way of check valve A. An input signal at the 2port will give an output signal at W by way of the through passagedepicted between these two ports.

An input signal at the Y, port will provide an output signal at the Xport, by way of check valves J and l; the Y input will provide output atX by way of check valves G, E, and D; Y, input will provide output at Xby way of check valves G and F; Y, input will provide output at Z,, byway of check valve J; Y, input will provide output at 2 by way of checkvalves G and F; Y, input will provide output at W by way of check valveJ and a through passage; Y, input will provide output at W;,, by way ofcheck valves G, E, and C; Y, input will provide output at W by way ofcheck valves G and E and a through passage.

In the foregoing description, there has been described, by way ofexample, a shuttle-valve type of check valve, employing shuttle balls49. However, other types of check valves may be used. One such is aso-called flapper valve type, wherein the holes in the program gaskethave hinged flaps which allow fluid to flow in one direction but not theother. In this construction, there is a (manifold) port on one side ofthe gasket which is of relatively small diameter and is quite close tothe gasket, while on the other side of the gasket there is a (manifold)counterbore very similar to counterbores l6, 19, etc. ln this case, thehinged flap can seal against the small-diameter port, to prevent flow inthe direction toward this port, while fluid flow can take place in theopposite direction, toward and through the large-diameter counterbore(whose bottom is relatively distant from the gasket and flap).

The invention claimed is:

1. A fluid manifolding arrangement comprising one assembly of first andsecond stacked manifolds; said first manifold having therein a pluralityof spaced, parallel, elongated channels; said second manifold havingtherein a plurlaity of spaced, parallel, elongated channels which areorthogonally related to the channels of the first manifold, the channelsof the first manifold crossing the channels of the second manifold toprovide node junctions at the points where the channels meet; and meansforming in said manifolds, at certain preselected node junctions,separate parallel channels which are orthogonally related to thechannels of both the first and the second manifolds.

2. Arrangement according to claim 1, wherein at certain preselected nodejunctions the channels of the first manifold are isolated from thechannels of the second manifold.

3. Arrangement recited in claim 1, including also undirectional fluidflow devices coupling the channels of the first manifold to the channelsof the second manifold, at certain preselected node junctions.

4. Arrangement recited in claim 1, including also a program gasketsandwiched between the two manifolds, said gasket having therein, at thelocations of the last-mentioned channels, holes which provide for suchchannels.

5. Arrangement recited in claim 1, including also a program gasketsandwiched between the two manifolds, said gasket having therein, at thelocations of the last-mentioned channels, holes which provide for suchchannels; and unidirecti nal fluid flow devices coupling the channels ofthe i t manifold to the channels of the second manifold, at certainpreselected node junctions; said gasket being constructed and arranged,at the locations of hte last-mentioned node junctions, to function insaid unidirectional fluid flow devices.

6. Arrangement defined in claim 1, including also another assembly oftwo stacked manifolds, the two manifolds of said other assembly beingsimilar in construction respectively to said first and second manifoldsand forming a similar assembly, said other assembly forming a stack withsaid one assembly.

7. Arrangement recited in claim 6, including also a program gasketsandwiched between the two assemblies.

8. Arrangement recited in claim 6, including also unidirectional fluidflow devices coupling the channels of said one assembly to the channelsof said other assembly, at the adjacent ends of certain preselected onesof the last-mentioned channels.

9. Arrangement of claim 8, including also a program gasket sandwichedbetween the two assemblies; said gasket being constructed and arranged,at the locations of the unidirectional fluid flow devices, to functionin such devices.

10. Arrangement recited in claim 6, including also a program gasketsandwiched between the two stacked manifolds of said one assembly, aprogram gasket sandwiched between the two stacked manifolds of saidother assembly, and a program gasket sandwiched between the twoassemblies.

ll. Arrangement recited in claim 6, including also a program gasketsandwiched between the two assemblies; said gasket having holes thereinat the locations of the adjacent ends of certain preselected ones of thelast-mentioned channels.

1. A fluid manifolding arrangement comprising one assembly of first andsecond stacked manifolds; said first manifold having therein a pluralityof spaced, parallel, elongated channels; said second manifold havingtherein a plurlaity of spaced, parallel, elongated channels which areorthogonally related to the channels of the first manifold, the channelsof the first manifold crossing the channels of the second manifold toprovide node junctions at the points where the channels meet; and meansforming in said manifolds, at certain preselected node junctions,separate parallel channels which are orthogonally related to thechannels of both the first and the second manifolds.
 2. Arrangementaccording to claim 1, wherein at certain preselected node junctions thechannels of the first manifold are isolated from the channels of thesecond manifold.
 3. Arrangement recited in claim 1, including alsoundirectional fluid flow devices coupling the channels of the firstmanifold to the channels of the second manifold, at certain preselectednode junctions.
 4. Arrangement recited in claim 1, including also aprogram gasket sandwiched between the two manifolds, said gasket havingtherein, at the locations of the last-mentioned channels, holes whichprovide for such channels.
 5. Arrangement recited in claim 1, includingalso a program gasket sandwiched between the two manifolds, said gaskethaving therein, at the locations of the last-mentioned channels, holeswhich provide for such channels; and unidirectional fluid flow devicescoupling the channels of the first manifold to the channels of thesecond manifold, at certain preselected node junctions; said gasketbeing constructed and arranged, at the locations of hte last-mentionednode junctions, to function in said unidirectional fluid flow devices.6. Arrangement defined in claim 1, including also another assembly oftwo stacked manifolds, the two manifolds of said other assembly beingsimilar in construction respectively to said first and second manifoldsand forming a similar assembly, said other assembly forming a stack withsaid one assembly.
 7. Arrangement recited in claim 6, including also aprogram gasket sandwiched between the two assemblies.
 8. Arrangementrecited in claim 6, including also unidirectional fluid flow devicescoupling the channels of said one assembly to the channels of said otherassembly, at the adjacent ends of certain preselected ones of thelast-mentioned channels.
 9. Arrangement of claim 8, including also aprogram gasket sandwiched between the two assemblies; said gasket beingconstructed and arranged, at the locations of the unidirectional fluidflow devices, to function in such devices.
 10. Arrangement recited inclaim 6, including also a program gasket sandwiched between the twostacked manifolds of said one assembly, a program gasket sandwichedbetween the two stacked manifolds of said other assembly, and a prOgramgasket sandwiched between the two assemblies.
 11. Arrangement recited inclaim 6, including also a program gasket sandwiched between the twoassemblies; said gasket having holes therein at the locations of theadjacent ends of certain preselected ones of the last-mentionedchannels.